Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ruth 2:14
And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched [corn], and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.
14. in the vinegar ] i.e. sour wine. It is said to be still used in Palestine by the harvesters as relish with bread.
parched corn ] i.e. grain taken from the newly reaped corn and roasted in a pan, and eaten with bread or as a substitute for bread.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
To dip the morsel, or sop, whether it were bread or meat, in the dish containing the vinegar (compare Mat 26:23; Mar 14:20 : Exo 25:29; Num 7:13) was, and still is, the common custom in the East.
Parched or roasted corn – Grain was the common food of the country then (compare 1Sa 17:17; 1Sa 25:18; 2Sa 17:28) as it is now.
And left – Or reserved Rth 2:18. Rather, had some over (compare Luk 15:17). Rth 2:18 tells us that she took to her mother-in-law what she had left over.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Rth 2:14
At mealtime come thou hither.
The common meal
1. It should indicate the Divine hand in providing it.
2. It should minister to the calm contentment of our hearts.
3. It should indicate a self-respect before men.
4. It should prepare for the next duties in life. (E. Price.)
Mealtime in the cornfields
I. that gods reapers have their mealtimes. The reapers in Jesus fields shall not only receive a blessed reward at the last, but they shall have plenteous comforts by the way.
1. God has ordained certain mealtimes for His reapers; and He has appointed that one of these shall be when they come together to listen to the Word preached. When the Lord blesses the provisions of His house, no matter how many thousands there may be, all His poor shall be filled with bread.
2. Often, too, our gracious Lord appoints us mealtimes in our private readings and meditations. Here it is that His paths drop fatness. No wonder that men grow so slowly, when they meditate so little. We must take the truth, and turn it over and over again in the inward parts of our spirit, and so shall we extract suitable nourishment therefrom.
3. Let us not forget that there is one specially ordained mealtime which ought to occur at least once in the week–I mean the Supper of the Lord. There you have literally, as well as spiritually, a meal.
4. Besides these regular mealtimes, there are others which God gives us, at seasons when, perhaps, we little expect them. You have been walking the street, and suddenly you have felt a holy flowing out of your soul toward God; or in the middle of business your heart has been melted with love and made to dance for joy, even as the brooks, which have been bound with winters ice, leap to feel the touch of spring. You have been groaning, dull, and earthbound; but the sweet love of Jesus has enwrapped your heart when you scarce thought of it. Seasons, too, we have had on our sick-beds.
5. Let me observe that, while these mealtimes come, we know not exactly when, there are certain seasons when we may expect them. The Eastern reapers generally sit down under the shelter of a tree, or a booth, to take refreshment during the heat of the day. And certain I am, that when trouble, affliction, persecution, and bereavement become the most painful to us, it is then that the Lord hands out to us the sweetest comforts. Again, these mealtimes frequently occur before a trial. Sweet cordials prepare for stern conflicts. Times of refreshing also occur after trouble or arduous service. Christ was tempted of the devil, and afterwards angels came and ministered unto Him. After conflict, content; after battle, banquet. When thou hast waited on thy Lord, then thou shalt sit down, and thy Master will gird Himself and wait upon thee.
II. to these meals the gleaner is affectionately invited. That is to say, the poor trembling stranger who has not strength enough to reap, who has no right to be in the field except the right of charity–the poor, trembling sinner, conscious of his own demerit, and feeling but little hope and little joy, is invited to the feast of love.
1. In the text the gleaner is invited to come: At mealtime come thou hither. We trust none of you will be kept away from the place of holy feasting by any shame on account of your dress, or your personal character, or your poverty; nay, nor even on account of your physical infirmities.
2. Moreover, she was bidden not only to come, but to eat. Whatever there is sweet and comfortable in the Word of God, ye that are of a broken and contrite spirit are invited to partake of it. You are saying in your heart, Oh, that I could eat the childrens bread! You may eat it. You say, I have no right. But the Lord gives you the invitation! Come without any other right than the right of His invitation.
3. Note further, that she was not only invited to eat the bread, but to dip her morsel in the vinegar. The Lords reapers have sauce with their bread; they have not merely doctrines, but the holy unction which is the essence of doctrines; they have not merely truths, but a hallowed delight accompanies the truths.
III. boaz reaches her the parched corn. None but the Lord of the harvest can hand out the choicest refreshments of spiritual minds. How does He do this?
1. By His gracious Spirit He first of all inspires your faith.
2. Having done this, the Saviour does more; He sheds abroad the love of God in your heart.
3. But Jesus does more than this: He reaches the parched corn with His own hand, when He gives us close communion with Himself.
4. Yet once more let me add, the Lord Jesus is pleased to reach the parched corn, in the best sense, when the Spirit gives us the infallible witness within that we are born of God. Philip de Morny, who lived in the time of Prince Henry of Navarre, was wont to say that the Holy Spirit had made his own salvation to him as clear a point as a problem demonstrated in Euclid. The sun in the heavens is not more clear to the eye than his present salvation to an assured believer; such a man could as soon doubt his own existence as suspect his possession of eternal life.
IV. After Boaz had reached the parched corn, we are told that she did eat, and was sufficed, and left. So shall it be with every Ruth. Sooner or later every penitent shall become a believer, every mourner a singer.
1. She did eat, and was sufficed. Your head shall be satisfied with the precious truth which Christ reveals; your heart shall be content with Jesus, as the altogether lovely object of affection; your hope shall be filled, for whom have you in heaven but Christ? Your desire shall be satiated, for what can even your desire hunger for more than to know Christ, and to be found in Him? You shall find Jesus charm your conscience, till it is at perfect peace; He shall content your judgment, till you know the certainty of His teachings; He shall supply your memory with recollections of what He did, and gratify your imagination with the prospects of what He is yet to do.
2. She was sufficed, and left. Some of us have had deep draughts of love; we have thought that we could take in all of Christ, but when we have done our best, we have had to leave a vast remainder. There are certain sweet things in the Word of God which you and I have not enjoyed yet, and which we cannot enjoy yet; and these we are obliged to leave for a while, till we are better prepared to receive them. Did not our Lord say, I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now? There is a special knowledge to which we have not attained, a place of intimate fellowship with Christ which we have not yet occupied. There is yet a beyond, and there will be for ever.
3. A verse or two further on we are told what Ruth did with her leavings. It is very wrong, I believe, at feasts to carry anything home with you; but she was not under any such regulation, for that which was left she took home and gave to Naomi. So it shall be even with you, poor tremblers, who think you have no right to a morsel for yourselves; you shall be allowed to eat, and when you are quite sufficed, you shall have courage to bear away a portion to others who are hungering at home. When you hear a sermon you think, My poor mother cannot get out to-day; how I wish she could have been here, for that sentence would have comforted her. If I forget everything else, I will tell her that. Cultivate an unselfish spirit. Seek to love as you have been loved. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 14. Dip thy morsel in the vinegar.] The chomets, which we here translate vinegar, seems to have been some refreshing kind of acid sauce used by the reapers to dip their bread in, which both cooled and refreshed them. Vinegar, rob of fruits, c., are used for this purpose in the East to the present day and the custom of the Arabs, according to Dr. Shaw, is to dip the bread and hand together into these cooling and refreshing articles.
Parched corn] This was a frequent repast among the ancients in almost all countries; see the notes on Le 2:1-14.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Bread in those simple and frugal times was the usual food of servants and the meaner sort, at least when they were engaged in such works as this, which required speed, and therefore must be quick in their eating, as well as in their work. Or bread may be here put for any food, as it oft is.
Vinegar; either simple vinegar, in which the poorer sort used to dip their bread, and so eat it in hot countries, as they did not only in Canaan, but afterwards in Italy; it being very proper, especially in those parts, for cooling them in those hot seasons, for strengthening their sinews, &c.; or vinegar mixed with other things to make some kind of sauce.
Beside the reapers; not with or among them, but at some little distance from them, and as one inferior to them, as she had acknowledged before in words, and now showeth it by her actions.
Parched corn; a food in frequent use and some esteem with them. See 2Sa 17:28.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
14. he reached her parched corn, andshe did eat, and was sufficed, and leftsome of the new grain,roasted on the spot, and fit for use after being rubbed in thehandsa favorite viand in the East. He gave her so much, that aftersatisfying her own wants, she had some (Ru2:18) in reserve for her mother-in-law.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Boaz said, at mealtime come thou hither,…. This looks as if she was now in the booth, or house in the field, where the reapers used to retire to eat their food, or rest themselves, or take shelter from the heat of the sun. This meal was very likely dinner, the time of which was not yet come, but would soon, and to which Boaz invited Ruth:
and eat of the bread; his servants did, that is, partake of the provisions they should have; bread being put for all. So Homer a speaks of a large ox slain for such a meal for the reapers, besides the “polenta” afterwards mentioned, which the women prepared, and who uses the same word for it the Septuagint does here: “to dip thy morsel in the vinegar”; which was used because of the heat of the season, as Jarchi and Aben Ezra remark, for cooling and refreshment; and such virtues Pliny b ascribes to vinegar, as being refreshing to the spirits, binding and bracing the nerves, and very corroborating and strengthening; and it is at this day used in Italy, it is said, in harvest time, when it is hot; where they also use wine mixed with vinegar and water, as Lavater says c; and who from a learned physician d observes, that reapers, instead of wine, use vinegar mixed with a great deal of water, which they call household wine, allayed with water; to which if oil and bread be put, it makes a cooling meal, good for workmen and travellers in the heat of the sun; and the Targum calls it pottage boiled in vinegar. The Romans had an “embamma”, or sauce, made of vinegar, in which they dipped their food e; and Theocritus f makes mention of vinegar as used by reapers: in the Syriac version it is bread dipped in milk; and in the Arabic version milk poured upon it. The Midrash g gives an allegorical sense of these words, and applies them to the Messiah and his kingdom, and interprets the bread of the bread of the kingdom, and the vinegar of the chastisements and afflictions of the Messiah, as it is said, “he was wounded for our transgressions”, c. Isa 53:5 which, by the way, is a concession that the prophecy in that chapter relates to him:
and she sat beside the reapers the women reapers; she did not sit along with them, or in thee midst of them, in the row with them, as ranking with them, but on one side of them, which was an instance of her great modesty:
and he reached her parched corn; either Boaz himself, or he that was set over the reapers. This parched corn seems to be the new barley they were reaping, which they fried in a pan and ate. Galen says h, the parched corn which is best is made of new barley moderately dried and parched; and that it was the custom of some to drink the same with new sweet wine, or wine mixed with honey, in the summertime, before they went into the bath, who say they feel themselves by this drink freed from thirst. But this seems to be a kind of food, what is sometimes called “polenta”, which is barley flour dried at the fire, and fried after it hath been soaking in water one night; so Lavater says, they dry the barley, having been soaked one night in water, the next day they dry it, and then grind it in mills; some dress new barley beaten out of green ears, and make it while moist into balls, and being cleansed, grind it; and thus dressed with twenty pound of barley, they put three pound of linseed, half a pound of coriander seed, and of salt, all being dried before, are mingled in a mill; and if to be kept, are put into new earthen vessels with the meal and bran: but a later writer i takes this “Kali”, rendered parched corn, not to be anyone certain species, but something made of corn and pulse, as lentiles, beans, c. and especially fried or parched vetches, of all which together was this kali or pulse and he refutes the notion of some, who take it to be “coffee”, since that has only been in use since the beginning of the sixteenth century, and at first in Arabia; and is not of the kind of pulse, but is the fruit of a certain tree, of which a liquor is made, something to drink; whereas this was food, and was ate, as follows, see 2Sa 17:28
and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left; she had such a plentiful share given her, that she had more than she could eat, and was obliged to leave some, and which it seems she carried home to her mother-in-law, Ru 2:18.
a Iliad. 18. ver. 559, 560. b Nat. Hist. l. 23. c. 1. c In loc. d Christophor. “a Vega de arte Medendi”, l. 2. apud ib. e Salmuth in Pancirol, par. 2. tit. 2. p. 83. f Idyll, 10. ver. 13. g Melrash Ruth, fol. 33. 2. h De Aliment. Facult. l. 1. apud Lavater. in loc. i Neumann. apud Rambachium in loc.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
This unassuming humility on the part of Ruth made Boaz all the more favourably disposed towards her, so that at meal-time he called her to eat along with his people ( without Mappik, as in Num 32:42; Zec 5:11; cf. Ewald, 94, b. 3). “ Dip thy morsel in the vinegar. ” Chomez, a sour beverage composed of vinegar (wine vinegar or sour wine) mixed with oil; a very refreshing drink, which is still a favourite beverage in the East (see Rosenmller, A. and N. Morgenland, iv. p. 68, and my Bibl. Archologie, ii. p. 16). “ And he reached her parched corn. ” The subject is Boaz, who, judging from the expression “come hither,” either joined in the meal, or at any rate was present at it. are roasted grains of wheat (see at Lev 2:14, and my Bibl. Arch. ii. p. 14), which are still eaten by the reapers upon the harvest field, and also handed to strangers.
(Note: Thus Robinson (Pal. ii. p. 394) gives the following description of a harvest scene in the neighbourhood of Kubeibeh: “In one field nearly two hundred reapers and gleaners were at work, the latter being nearly as numerous as the former. A few were taking their refreshment, and offered us some of their ‘parched corn.’ In the season of harvest, the grains of wheat not yet fully dry and hard, are roasted in a pan or on an iron plate, and constitute a very palatable article of food; this is eaten along with bread, or instead of it.”)
Boaz gave her an abundant supply of it, so that she was not only satisfied, but left some, and was able to take it home to her mother (Rth 2:18.)
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(14) At meal-time.This should apparently be joined to what precedes: Boaz now shows a fresh act of kindness.
Vinegar.By this term is to be understood wine which had become sour (Pro. 10:26). As such, Nazarites were forbidden to use it (Num. 6:3). Similar to this was the vinegar of the Gospel narrative, a sour wine generally mixed with water, which was offered to our Saviour (Mat. 27:48, &c.).
Left.Had to spare. In Rth. 2:18, we find that this superfluity was put by for her mother-in-law.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. At mealtime At the time of the noontide lunch. The principal meal was taken after the labours of the day were over. Rth 3:7.
Come thou hither Into the house (Rth 2:7) or tent which was pitched in the harvest field for the accommodation of the reapers, and in which they kept their provisions and ate their meals.
Bread A generic word for provisions. The meaning is, Come and take of the provisions here in store.
Vinegar Wine or strong drink of some kind turned sour, which would form a nauseous draught if taken in any considerable quantity alone, (Psa 69:21,) but served a useful purpose as a sop. “Pliny describes it as being refreshing to the spirits, binding and bracing the nerves, and very sustaining and strengthening for labour. The use of vinegar by reapers is alluded to by Theocritus in his tenth idyl.” Kitto.
She sat beside the reapers From this we may not infer that the two sexes ordinarily took their meals together, for this noontide lunch in the harvest field is no proper example of the ordinary domestic customs of the ancient families in Israel. Ruth came to this lunch by special invitation from Boaz.
He reached her parched corn In passing from Gaza to Hebron in May, 1838, Dr. Robinson saw nearly two hundred reapers and gleaners at work in one field. He saw some taking their refreshment, and as he passed they offered him some parched corn. The manner of its preparation, according to Dr. Thomson, is this: “A quantity of the best ears, not too ripe, are plucked, with the stalks attached. These are tied into small parcels, a blazing fire is kindled with dry grass and thorn bushes, and the corn heads are held in it until the chaff is mostly burned off. The grain is thus sufficiently roasted to be eaten, and it is a favourite article all over the country.” Mr. Tristram gives a similar description of the parching of grain which he witnessed in northern Palestine in May of 1864. He and his party were invited to partake, and he adds: “We found the dish by no means unpalatable. The green ears had become half-charred by the roasting, and there was a pleasant mingling of milky wheat and a fresh crust flavour as we chewed the parched corn.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And at mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your morsel in the vinegar.” And she sat beside the reapers, and they passed her parched grain, and she ate, and was satisfied, and left some of it.’
When mealtime came around for the shearers Boaz invited Ruth to join them calling on her to share their food and sour wine mixed with oil. And in consequence, rather than being treated as a gleaner, she sat among the reapers while they passed to her edible parched grain, to such an extent that she was more than satisfied and was able to leave some over, which she carefully stored up so as to take it back to Naomi. It was royal treatment indeed for such a one as Ruth. Such edible parched grain is still partaken of by reapers in the Middle East today. The grains of barley or wheat, not yet fully dry and hard, are roasted in a pan or on an iron plate. They constitute a very palatable type of food; It was food near to hand, and there was as much as they wanted.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Rth 2:14. Eat of the bread and dip thy morsel in the vinegar Under the name bread, as we have before remarked, is comprehended all kinds of provision. By chometz, rendered vinegar, is signified a kind of acid or strongly fermented wine, which was very cooling and refreshing in hot seasons, such as the time of harvest. So Pliny observes, lib. 23: chap. 1. “Vinegar, or sharp wine, is of a most refreshing nature.” The Roman soldiers drank of this small wine; and some have thought that it was this which they presented to our Saviour on the cross. Nothing is more common with the poets, than to mention this vinegar, or acid wine, in their description of common repasts. For proofs, see Calmet and Grotius on the place. Dr. Shaw, speaking of the Arabs’ manner of eating, observes, that,
“when their food is of a more liquid nature, such as oil and vinegar, robb, hatted milk, honey, &c. then, after they have broken their bread or cakes into little bits (, or sops) they fall on, dipping their hands and their morsels together therein. (Mat 26:23. Rth 2:14. Joh 13:26.) At all these meals they feed themselves with their right hand.” Travels, p. 232. The application which the rabbis make of this passage to the Messiah, is very singular. They say, that the words of Boaz to Ruth, come thou hither, are equivalent to come to thy kingdom; and that what is added, dip thy morsel in the vinegar, denotes the reproaches and torments of the Messiah; a commentary which, however absurd, abundantly proves to us the idea which the ancient Jews had of the Messiah. One would believe that the 21st verse of the 69th Psalm gave rise to this exposition. See Huet, Demonstr. Evang. pars 2: p. 925.
REFLECTIONS.Boaz was a great man, but not too great to superintend his own business. The master’s eye makes quick work. We have him here visiting his reapers. Observe,
1. The mutual salutations which passed between them; a proof that Boaz was as pious as prosperous, and that his servants under his care had partaken of their master’s blessing. Note; (1.) Though a formal “God bless you” is often a profanation of the name of God, and a compliment of course; a thoughtful and serious benediction is the mark of truest regard. (2.) It is likely to go well with that family, where the master’s kindness meets with an equal return in the servants’ hearty regard for him and his concerns.
2. The inquiry that Boaz makes concerning a stranger whom he observed, probably, sitting in the booth erected in the field, and the answer given him by the overseer of the reapers. She was that Moabitish damsel, whose love for her mother, and regard for God, had brought her to Beth-lehem: she had modestly asked leave to glean, and, during the whole morning, had been industriously employed, till just now, that in the heat she had rested for a moment in the house, and was again returned to her labour. Note; They who are entrusted by their masters, as overseers, must look carefully to their masters’ interests, and make a faithful report.
3. Boaz accosts the poor stranger with great kindness, calls her daughter, bids her continue in his field during the harvest, follow his maidens, and keep them company. He gives orders also to the young men to shew her no rudeness, nor give her any molestation; invites her to eat and drink with his reapers, and go as one of them to the booth whenever she was thirsty, and at meal-time share their entertainment. He adds the excellent character he had heard of her, as deserving every token of his regard; prays God to recompence her work of filial piety, and her adherence to the worship of Jehovah, under whose wing the had taken shelter: and then, turning to the reapers, bids them purposely drop a handful here and there behind them, and let her glean among the sheaves, and not reproach her for it, as if she took what was not allowed her. Note; (1.) There is a manner of doing a kindness that makes it doubly acceptable. (2.) They deserve commendation and regard, who, for the sake of God, leave all behind them. (3.) In the end they will be no losers. (4.) A generous heart is happy in an occasion to relieve the wants of the deserving.
4. Ruth, overcome with such kindness, is at a loss to express her gratitude, bows to the earth before him, in token of deepest respect, professes her unworthiness of the favour shewn her, admires his condescension, begs the continuance of his regard, and receives his speech as the most friendly and reviving cordial. Accordingly, at mealtime she accepts his invitation, and, to make it more welcome, he reaches her the parched corn, and by his own behaviour engages his servants to shew her every kind of civility. Note; (1.) A grateful heart often wants expressions to speak its sensibility. (2.) A kind look, or a good word from a superior, is often very useful: so cheap a charity then who need to grudge? (3.) They who are most deserving will have the lowest opinion of their own deserts.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.
The Lord Jesus delights that his table should be filled. He commands all seeking souls to come at mealtime to his ordinances. He hath made a feast of fat things in his holy mountain, and there the souls of his people may delight themselves in fatness. And how sweet is it to see, that while his people sit beside his ministers, Jesus himself reacheth to them their corn and meat in secret. They have (as he had when upon earth) meat to eat that others (even disciples) know not .4. And they not only eat and are full, but leave abundance for others, Eat O friends, (is the call of Jesus) drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. Son 5:1 . Precious Redeemer, though thy people eat and are full, thy fulness is not diminished, neither is thy table ever empty.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Rth 2:14 And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched [corn], and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.
Ver. 14. And Boaz said unto her. ] Here gratiarum actio erat ad plus dandum invitatio. Ruth’s thankfulness was rewarded with more kindness. Efficacissimum genus est rogandi, gratias agere, saith Pliny. a As a little water poured into the pump when the springs lie low, bringeth up a great deal more together with it; so is it here.
And eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar.
And she sat beside the reapers.
And he reached b her parched corn.] Which was great dainties in those days (1Sa 17:17 2Sa 17:28 ). Now-a-days, what marvel is it that we die so fast? saith Seneca, qui tot mortibus vivimus, who do live by the death of so many other creatures.
a In Panegyr.
b Sept., , He reached unto her by heaps.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
left = left thereof remaining.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Kindness to the Stranger
Rth 2:14-23
From the time of the Exodus, kind and thoughtful references are made to the strangers within the gates, Deu 5:14; Deu 10:19. These injunctions found beautiful exemplification in Boaz. How careful should be we who live on a higher level, so far as the knowledge of God is concerned, that we exceed the ancient Hebrews in tender regard for the lonely and bereaved! A desolate woman, whose husband had met with an accident, and was without food or fire, said the other day to a visitor whom God had sent on an errand of mercy, I thought nobody cared. Like Boaz, it is our business to speak kindly to such, though not of our kith and kin, and who can know how far our words may travel!
We have a glimpse into Naomis soul in Rth 2:20. It would seem as if she had come to the conclusion that God had forgotten and forsaken her. But when Ruth repeated the words of Boaz, the human love rekindled her faith in Gods love. She began to see Gods purpose shaping itself. The rainbow shone on the retreating cloud of her tears. What an opportunity is presented, each day we live of bringing the consciousness of God to weary and heavy-laden lives!
Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary
Chapter 12
Mealtime With Boaz
“And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.”
Rth 2:14
Ruth was a Moabitess, a stranger in the land of Judah. This Moabite stranger found satisfaction when she was wed to Boaz. The courtship that led up to that wedding began in Boazs barley field where Boaz invited her into his house at mealtime. As Ruth found in Boaz everything she needed; so every believing sinner finds in Christ, the Bread of Life, everything he needs. In our Saviors house there is bread enough and to spare.
There is a distinct correlation between the things recorded in the Book of Ruth and the things that are taught in the Book of Ephesians. They are worthy of detailed study.
1.The minute detail of divine providence in accomplishing the purpose of God is evident (Eph 1:11).
2.Once Ruth was in Bethlehem she went out into the fields to serve. Indeed, all who are brought into the family and kingdom of God are born to serve (Eph 2:8-10; Tit 2:11-15).
3.The calling of Ruth the Moabitess prefigured the calling of the Gentiles (Eph 2:11-13; Eph 2:19).
4.The love of Boaz for Ruth was a picture of the love of Christ to us (Eph 3:18-19; Eph 5:25-27).
5.Boazs purchase and redemption of Ruth portrayed Christs redemption and purchase of Gods elect (Eph 5:25; Eph 1:6).
6.As Boazs love to her was a matter of unceasing wonder to Ruth (Why have I found grace in thine eyes?), so Christs love to us, his great grace to us is an unceasing, wondrous mystery to the believing heart (Eph 3:8-11; Eph 3:19-21).
7.As Ruths wedding to Boaz was a lasting, fruitful union, so our union with Christ is an everlasting union and a fruitful one (Eph 5:30; Eph 5:32; Eph 4:21-25).
As we read the Word of God, we should always look for Christ and pictures of Gods rich, abundant grace in him. If we look for pictures of our own souls experiences, we are sure to find them. Such pictures are everywhere in the Book of Ruth. The text now before us suggests several spirituals truths.
GODS PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD HAVE THEIR MEALTIMES.
In the Scriptures, the hearing of the Word of God is often compared to a great feast and faith in Christ is compared to eating and drinking (Luk 14:15-24). During the barley harvest, it was common in Boazs day for men to set up temporary quarters in their fields. There, in the middle of the day, all the workers would be fed and any gleaners who were invited to join them. That is the picture we have before us. Let me use it to show you three things from the Word of God in this regard.
Gods servants, those who preach the gospel of Christ, are Gods gifts to his church by whom the souls of men are fed (Jer 3:15).
The one who does the feeding is our Lord himself. His servants simply distribute the loaves and the fishes. They feed the Lords sheep with knowledge of God, his Word, his ways, and his works. And they feed them with understanding. Men who are called and gifted of God to preach the gospel understand the needs of their hearers. Understanding their needs, Gods servants feed his people with bread which is suitable for them, the bread of free grace in Christ, the sinners Substitute. They understand that Christ crucified is all the counsel of God (1Pe 1:23-25).
All who are hungry will be found at the table when mealtime comes.
It is senseless for preachers to try to force, or coerce religious people, hypocritical professors of faith, to come to church, when they have no appetite for the things of God. If people are hungry, no one has to beg them to come and eat. Hungry souls gladly eat, no matter who the cook is, no matter what the plate looks like. Give them the bread and water of covenant mercy, the oil and wine of free grace, and Gods people will come and dine. Sheep love sheep food. Goats are more happy with the weeds of works, intellectualism, and legality.
God has ordained certain mealtimes for his own.
Many these days despise all order, set times of worship, and the discipline of faithfulness. But God has ordained both private and public worship for the feeding of our souls. We neglect these matters to our own peril. Particularly, the public ministry of the Word, the preaching of the gospel, and ordinances of divine worship have been established by our God for the good of our souls (Eph 4:8-16; Heb 10:25; 1Pe 2:2).
As Mephibosheth was found sitting at the kings table, let us ever be found at the table of divine worship. As the returned prodigal fed upon the fatted calf, let us ever feed upon our crucified Redeemer.
Our God spreads a table before us in this wilderness. It is written, Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Often we have an unexpected mealtime, during the routine of the day, the Lord visits us often with special tokens of grace, dropping sweet morsels into our souls. In the heat of the day, he refreshes our souls. When we are about to face some great trial, though we are unaware of it, he gives us just the food needed to see us through. After heavy, painful, heart-wrenching trouble, when we are most faint, he graciously visits us and feeds us with his Word in such ways as the world can never understand.
THE LORD JESUS AFFECTIONATELY INVITES POOR, NEEDY SINNERS TO HIS BANQUETING TABLE.
Boaz did not command Ruth to come. He did not order her to come, though well he might. Rather, Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither and eat. Those are the tender words of a gracious suitor. Yes, it is true, the Lord Jesus commands all men to repent. He commands all to believe the gospel. And all are responsible to obey his command. Yet, he graciously condescends to our low estate. Like a tender Suitor who would win our hearts, he invites poor, needy sinners to come to him. I do not debate for a moment the fact that the gospel is a command; but the command of the gospel sounds like a tender, gracious invitation to me (Isa 1:18-20; Mat 11:28-30; Mat 22:9; Rev 22:17).
The poor, needy gleaner in our text was invited by Boaz himself to Come. And the Son of God invites hungry sinners to come to him. Someone suggested that good witnessing is one beggar telling another beggar where he can get a good meal. Ruth was invited to eat of the bread. Even so, sinners are invited to eat of Christ, the bread of life, and live forever.
Yet, there is more. Boaz invited Ruth to dip her morsel in the vinegar. The vinegar here was not vinegar as we know it, but a relish, a sauce, a gravy to give a rich, delicious taste to the bread. So the Lord Jesus bids us dip our morsel of bread in the gravy of his grace. Election is the bread. – Personal election is the gravy. Redemption is the bread. – Personal redemption is the gravy. Calling is the bread. – Personal calling is the gravy. Perseverance is the bread. – Preservation is the gravy. Some like the bread, but not the gravy. Some like the gravy, but not the bread. Believers want both.
Boaz invited Ruth to come to him at mealtime for two obvious reasons: he loved her; and he intended to marry her. So, too, when the Lord Jesus speaks to sinners by his Spirit, it is because of his eternal intentions of love and grace toward them.
AS BOAZ REACHED RUTH THE PARCHED CORN, SO OUR SAVIOR GIVES THE BREAD OF LIFE TO CHOSEN SINNERS.
It takes more than an invitation to save a sinner. It takes more than an offer of grace. It takes an almighty work of irresistible grace (Psa 65:4; Psa 110:3). While Ruth sat beside the reapers, he reached her the parched corn. How thankful believing sinners are that our God would not take No for an answer from us. He invited; but we were reluctant. He said, Come, eat, dip your morsel in the gravy; but we would not obey his voice. So he put the bread of life into our mouths. Like the good Samaritan portrayed in Lukes gospel, God our Savior came to where we were, picked us up, and poured in his grace. He shed abroad his love in our hearts. He gave us repentance.
AS RUTH WAS SATISFIED AT BOAZS TABLE, EVERY BELIEVER FINDS IN CHRIST THAT WHICH SATISFIES HIS SOUL.
Ruth ate all she wanted. She was fully satisfied. When she left, she left much more than she ate, and carried enough home to Naomi to satisfy her as well (Rth 2:18). There is bread enough in our Fathers house and plenty to spare. Some preachers and some churches seem to think they are to be spiritual protectionists, conservationists of the worst kind. They seem to be afraid that if they share the bread of Gods house they will run out of bread. Let us preach the gospel freely to all men, bidding poor, needy, hungry sinners Come and dine.
Fuente: Discovering Christ In Selected Books of the Bible
At mealtime: Job 31:16-22, Pro 11:24, Pro 11:25, Isa 32:8, Isa 58:7, Isa 58:10, Isa 58:11, Luk 14:12-14
dip thy morsel: Vinegar, robb of fruits, etc., are used for this purpose in the East to the present day; into which, says Dr. Shaw, they dip the bread and hand together.
parched: 1Sa 17:17, 1Sa 25:18, 2Sa 17:28
she did: Deu 8:10, Deu 11:15, 2Ki 4:43, 2Ki 4:44, Mat 14:20
was sufficed: Rth 2:18, Psa 23:5
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Rth 2:14. Eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar In the term bread is comprehended all the provision which was made for the reapers, with which they had vinegar for sauce, it being very cooling and refreshing in hot seasons, as the time of harvest there was. He reached her parched corn Which was a usual and no mean food in those countries, as appears from 2Sa 17:28. Either Boaz, or the servant set over the reapers, gave her this. It is no disparagement to the finest hand to be reached out to the needy. And she sat by the reapers Not with or among them, but at some little distance, as one inferior to them.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2:14 And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched [corn], and she did eat, and was sufficed, and {f} left.
(f) Which she brought home to her mother in law.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
3. Ruth’s privileges and responsibility 2:14-16
Boaz treated Ruth generously and courteously, yet she continued to glean. Her maidservant status did not provide her with sufficient income so she could abandon her gleaning. By allowing her to work, Boaz preserved Ruth’s dignity, but by providing generously for her he lightened her duties. The fact that Boaz permitted Ruth to eat with his household servants was another blessing from the Lord.